MAilmeART

Created by Darren Di Lieto, the founder and editor of LCSV4, MAiLmeART is a collaborative project designed to make sure â€œeveryone involved gets something out of [it.]â€ Submissions can be any type of package, provided they have some form of art on them, and they look like they have traveled through the mail â€“ the site stresses this point, ensuring that even postal workers are included in the project. With over 200 submissions currently displayed on mailmeart.com, the project is growing daily. Head on over and make a submission today!

â€œThe artists are having a great time, but I’ve been getting some very odd looks from the mailman.â€

Format: It says on your website that you were trying to think of a collaborative project that everyone involved gets something out of. How did you decide upon MAiLmeART specifically? Darren: I needed to have something tangible from the artists and illustrators involved in order to be able to sell the product and make money for the artist. There were so many cool ideas, but they all involved mailing the object to me or getting sponsors involved from the outset. So naturally we decided to have the mail as the art, making everyone’s life that little bit easier.

Format: What are some of the responses you have received from the different parties involved in the project? Darren: The artists are having a great time, but I’ve been getting some very odd looks from the mailman.

Format: What are some of the most creative interpretations of packaging you’ve seen? Darren: This one http://www.mailmeart.com/category/benconservato/. Although some of the other submissions are insane.

Format: Who submits to MAiLmeART? What is the general profile? Darren: Generally anyone with mark-making instruments, but predominantly artists, illustrators and general doodlers.

Format: Have you received anything interesting in the actual packages? If so, what? Darren: I’ve not received anything too strange yet apart from a pair of earrings, although there are a couple that have put the words empty on the package and I’m sure there’s something inside. I did get a small gift from one Jim Bradshaw that I was deeply honored to receive.

Format: How do you select judges for the project? Darren: At the moment I’ve be asking people that I’ve been interviewing for the LCS if they wouldnâ€™t mind picking a winner for MAiLmeART for me. Itâ€™s a simple and straight forward method.

Format: What criteria are considered when selecting a winner? Darren: I leave it up to the judges.